Mr Moy reportedly will depart for a private-sector job, however the Mint didn’t disclose Mr. Moy’s new position and a spokesman didn’t immediately return phone calls seeking more information.

Moy was sworn in as 38th Director of the United States Mint in September 2006 after being appointed by President George W. Bush for a five-year term. Prior to assuming his duties as Director of the Mint, Moy was a Special Assistant to President Bush for Presidential Personnel.

In his remarks to all Mint employees about his departure, Moy praised their performance during his tenure. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over four and a half years. The Mint is a better place and delivering more value to the American taxpayers. The foundation has been rebuilt and the work is now in your capable hands,” he said. “Please know that I will always remember my being Director of the United States Mint as a special time in my life.”

In comments to the Wall Street Journal, David Ganz, a former president of the American Numismatic Association said: “What is surprising is how long he has lasted into the Obama administration. If you look back 50 years, there’s no Mint director that has served a full term when there has been a change of administration.”

Mr. Ganz said Mr. Moy has long had an interest in coins.

“The most fascinating thing about Director Moy is that as a kid he worked in his parent’s Chinese restaurant and as a cashier he used to go through the cash draw every night and pick out coins for his coin collection,” said Mr. Ganz.

Prior to his public service in the White House and Mint, Moy spent eight years working with venture capital firms and entrepreneurs. From 1989 to 1993, he served President George H. W. Bush as a political appointee at the federal Health Care Financing Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has also served as a sales and marketing executive for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin.

Moy graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1979 with a triple major in economics, international relations and political science. He and his wife Karen have a daughter, Nora.

Related posts:

1. Former US Mint Director Jay Johnson Has Passed Away at Age 66
2. New Deputy Director Joins United States Mint
3. Mint Director Ed Moy Answers Collector Questions

DALLAS, TX – As the profile of Heritage Auctions’ World & Ancient Coins category has continued to skyrocket over the last few years, each consecutive offering has raised the bar significantly. With the Jan. 3-4 New York Signature? World & Ancient Coin Auction at the Waldorf Astoria, coinciding with the New York International Coin Show (NYINC), Heritage has not only assembled its largest World Coin auction to date, it has also once again raised the bar in terms of absolute quality.

“With more than 5,000 total lots in this auction we have literally scoured the planet for the best possible international numismatic offerings,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage. “The incredible scope of countries represented, and the depth to which the collections go is so advanced that putting this catalog together was like a getting a graduate degree in world numismatics at a crash course pace.”

More than 240 consignors have placed coins in the auction, most of which will be on display for lot viewing, Dec. 29 and 30, at Heritage’s jewelbox New York space at 445 Park Avenue (at 57^th). To further entice International coin collectors, Heritage will have highlights from the upcoming auction the Norman Jacobs Collection of Korean and Japanese Coins, the most important collection of its kind, on display at the NYINC, January 6-9, at the Waldorf-Astoria.

A Polish Sigismund III gold 10 Dukats 1588, Fr-83, XF45 NGC represents one of the superb early highlights of the auction. This exceedingly rare type, with its clean lines and striking imagery is appealing as much for its numismatic value as for its artistic value, and is sure to be the subject of spirited bidding. It carries an estimate of $175,000+.

Collectors of European coins will certainly be interested in a German Bird of Paradise Colonial gold 10 Marks 1895A, Date and value in palm wreath, Fr-2, KM8, MS66 NGC, a superb example of this extremely popular issue, considered by many to have the most beautiful of all modern coin designs, with a $30,000+ estimate. One of the most important Russian offerings in the auction comes in the form of a Choice Uncirculated Peter I Rouble, 1720, Bust right/Crowned Imperial eagle, nails on sleeve in one line, Diakov 16, PETR 4, UZD 0588. MS64 NGC, which comes with a $60,000+ estimate and represents one of the nicer pieces of this type ever seen by Heritage specialists.

An amazing Leopold I (the Hogmouthed) medallic gold 15 Ducats ND (1666-1705), 51.92 gm, AU58 NGC is expected to be one of the most highly sought-after coins of the auction, with an estimate of $150,000+. Leopold reigned as Holy Roman Emperor from 1658 to 1705, a period marked by constant military conflicts, including the Great Turkish War, the Nine Years’ War, and the War of Spanish Succession.

A complete set of the 1646 Brazilian Ducats, three incredible relics of the Dutch siege of Brazil in the early 1600s, have already created quite a buzz within the international numismatic community in anticipation of their being offered. The rarest denomination in the series is the Pernambuco. Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) 3 Guilders (Florins) 1646, KM5.3, Fr-3, choice XF,1.81 grams, one of the one of the great Brazilian/Dutch rarities and a coin with tremendous charisma, estimated at $30,000+. A Pernambuco. Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) 6 Guilders (Florins) 1646, KM6.2, Fr-2, better EF, 3.69 grams, is estimated at $20,000+, while a Pernambuco. Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagnie (GWC) 12 Guilders (Florins) 1646, KM7.1, F-1, AU, 7.52 grams, possibly the finest known 12 Florins in existence, is estimated at $30,000+.

One of the most hotly anticipated lots in the auction comes in the form of one of the largest gold coins in the world, a massive People’s Republic 10kg (321.17 ounces) gold 100000 Yuan 2008, KM1842, Gem Proof, struck to commemorate the first Olympic Games in China, the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing in 2008.

The obverse features the title of PRC, the common year date “2008,” decorative design of the Chinese ancient bronze ware and the colored emblem of the Games. The reverse features a myriad of sporting events in the foreground, with the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and dragons in the clouds. The coin carries a pre-auction estimate of $600,000+.

“This is an awe-inspiring coin,” said Bierrenbach, “and the display case only adds to its allure. Crafted from African Blackwood and finished with intricately carved Chinese ornamentation, this is a masterpiece in its own right crowned by a Chinese dragon carved from Shousan stone, the national stone of China. The art of Shousan stone carving traces as far back as the Ming Dynasty, when the carvings were used to create royal seals.”

Further highlights include, but are not limited to:

Vittorio Emanuele III gold 100 Lire 1937R XVI, KM84, Fr-36, MS65 NGC: Reduced size, a superb example with flawless satiny surfaces and full mint brilliance. Very rare type and grade, only 249 minted. Struck following the conquest of Ethiopia depicting a Roman carrying the fasces symbolic of the Italian government. With the issue of this coin, Vittorio Emanule III added the title of Emperor to his stature as King. Estimate: $35,000+.

Empire Silver Pattern Dollar (1910), Kann-219, L&M-24, Proof 62 PCGS: A very attractive example with silvery-gray and gold patina and only faint hairlines in the obverse fields. A rare and ever popular type struck at the central Tientsin Mint. Estimate: $10,000+.

Republic gold 20 Pesos 1888 Go-R, KM414.4, unlisted date and moneyer, MS62 NGC: Semi-prooflike luster, sharp strike with full details except in the very center of the Book of Laws, consistently high rims all around, glowing light-yellow gold color, some abrasions and very faint hairlines, some flattening on the eagle and snake from the rolling process at the mint, and a long deep minting flaw diagonally on the eagle’s left wing. As far as Heritage research can determine, there have been no public sales, or offerings of a 20 Pesos of this date and mint for the last 60-70 years, thus the coin is believed to be unique. Estimate: $25,000+.

Gela. Ca. 415-405 BC. AR tetradrachm (17.22 gm): Quadriga racing left in three-quarter view, third horse with head turned back, eagle flying left above, grain ear left in exergue / ?E?A?, man-faced bull standing left, two barley plants before him, barley grain in exergue. Among the finest known examples of this unique reverse type, represented by only a single die. Ex Gemini V (6 January 2009, lot 331). Ex American Numismatic Society collection (inv. #1997.9.5). From the estate of John D. Leggett, Jr. Estimate: $30,000+.

Heritage Auctions, headed by Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin and Greg Rohan, is the world’s third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $600 million, and 500,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

Related posts:

1. World Record $138,000 Brazilian 100 Reis leads $5.2 million+ Heritage CICF World Coin auction in Chicago
2. Chinese Gold Leads World & Ancient Coins section of Heritage Boston Sale
3. Baldwin’s Ancient and World Coin Auction 67 & 68: The Official COINEX Auction

The 19th-century shipwreck at the heart of the dispute with Odyssey Marine Exploration is the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes — a Spanish warship sunk by the British navy southwest of Portugal in 1804 with more than 200 people on board.

The Legal Proceedings:

Odyssey announced in May 2007 it had discovered the wreck in the Atlantic and raised 500,000 silver coins and other artifacts worth an estimated US$500 million (€324 million). The coins and artifacts were brought into the United States with a valid export license and imported legally pursuant to U.S. law. Odyssey brought the artifacts under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court by filing an Admiralty arrest action. This procedure allows any legitimate claimant with an interest in the property to make a claim.

Spain went to the U.S. federal court claiming ownership of the treasure and the case is currently set for Oral Arguments tentatively scheduled to take place during the week of February 28, 2011 at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Additional appeals have been filed by groups who have presented documentation indicating that if Spain is correct, and the recovered cargo originated from the Mercedes, they are descendants of the owners of Mercedes’ cargo and have legitimate property rights. Those claimants have recognized Odyssey’s archaeological recovery efforts and have acknowledged Odyssey’s right to a salvage award.

Back To the WikiLeaks Disclosure:

Among the thousands of documents released by WikiLeaks are several U.S. diplomatic cables describing how U.S. ambassadors were helping Spain in their cause — partly to help broker a deal to bring a famous painting in Spain to a U.S. citizen who claimed it was looted by the Nazis in World War II.

Specifically the U.S. offered to provide confidential customs documents prepared by Odyssey that Spain in turn planned to use in court to fight Odyssey, presumably to discredit claims that the treasure was imported legally to the US.

Odyssey officials are not pleased at the revelation:

“The cables seem to indicate that someone in the U.S. State Department has literally offered to sacrifice Odyssey and its thousands of shareholders along with the many jobs created by the company in exchange for the return of one painting to one U.S. Citizen,” the company said in a statement “It is hard to believe that this really happened. It sounds like something out of a Hollywood script.”

According to an MSNBC Article:

A diplomatic cable a year later describes how the U.S. Ambassador to Spain, Eduardo Aguirre, suggested a deal.

He met with Spanish Minister of Culture Cesar Antonio Molina on June 30, 2008, who told the U.S. Ambassador that they should meet over the issue of a claim by an American citizen, Claude Cassirer, to recover a painting by Camille Pissarro. Cassirer claims the Nazis in 1939 forced his grandmother to sell them the painting and it passed through several hands before ending up in a Spanish museum.

“The [U.S.] ambassador noted also that while the Odyssey and Cassirer claim were on separate legal tracks,” the cable states, “it was in both governments’ interest to avail themselves of whatever margin for manouevre they had, consistent with their legal obligations, to resolve both matters in a way that favoured the bilateral relationship.”

The Spanish official replied, the cable says, that there were many steps required before any movement on the painting, but that he had recently flown to Washington, in part, to meet with lawyers that Spain retained in the Odyssey case. He expressed “indignation” after a CNN interview where Odyssey CEO Greg Stemm aimed to keep the treasure and return only items of archeological value.

London’s Guardian newspaper first reported the cables, as part of its ongoing digestion of thousands of documents released by WikiLeaks. The U.S. government has condemned the release and called for prosecution of WikiLeaks founders.

The Spanish were “grateful” after Department of Homeland Security staff in the U.S. embassy in Madrid handed the Spanish customs import documents that Odyssey had filed when bringing the treasure to Tampa.

“The information was confidential,” the U.S. cable stated, “and to be used only for law enforcement purposes.” The Spanish replied that they were “interested in obtaining the Odyssey customs information to provide to lawyers representing the [Government of Spain] in the Tampa Admiralty Court.”

Related posts:

1. Spain claims all treasure from The Black Swan
2. Spain in U.S. Court Today over Black Swan Treasure
3. Odyssey Marine Exploration Challenges Claims by Spain in Its “Black Swan” Appellate Reply

One of the many highlights of Stacks upcoming New York International Sale is a lovely and rare 1830 RA P 8 Escudos of Argentina. This is a key date example of the classic Sunface design, the second rarest date in the series.

This piece hails from the Porteño Collection, a small but high quality offering of Argentine coinage, and displays pleasing original gold surfaces with only light wear. This specimen was uncertified when offered in Heritage’s January 2007 sale, and was recently submitted to NGC for encapsulation where it was graded EF-45.

In his 1962 work, Argentine numismatist and researcher, Jorge Ferarri was able to track fewer than 10 examples of this date. In Calico’s “Onza” book, it is simply described as “Extremely Rare.” Even in the current information age, we can only positively identify two examples that have traded at auction in the past five years.

These include: the example in the October 2008 Spink-Smythe sale (which later appeared in the Ponterio New York International 2010 sale) and this example (ex Heritage NYINC 2007). Curiously, this date was missing from our (ANR’s) sale of the Eliasberg World Gold Collection, Goldberg’s sale of the Millennia Collection, our Kroisos Collection Sale, and other important recent sales of quality Argentine coins. While there are probably examples in museums in Argentina, the number available to the collecting public is quite small indeed.

Another stunning Argentine rarity offered as part of the Porteño Collection is an 1836 Rosas portrait 8 Escudos struck in silver. Called an “ensayo” or essay in Hector Carlos Janson’s book, research conducted by our consignor shows that the 1836 8 Escudos was supposed to be an 8 Soles piece, and thus the silver strikings (which are nearly as rare as the gold) are the officially struck coins.

There are four known examples struck in gold, including the Eliasberg-Clapp coin we offered in the Eliasberg World Gold Collection in 2005. Regardless of whether these are official strikes or essay pieces, they are extremely rare. The last silver specimen to sell at public auction was the AU-50 (NGC) that appeared in the Millennia Collection sale. The Porteño Collection example is sharper than the Millennia coin; unfortunately, it has been polished, and is now residing in an AU Details (NGC) holder.

Stack’s is proud to be able to offer these rarities to the collecting public—for the advanced Argentine coin collector, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Related posts:

1. Coin Rarities & Related Topics: 1856-O Double Eagles and other Great Rarities that I have seen
2. True Rarities Brighten Gloomy Baltimore – Pinnacle Rarities Market Report
3. Gold Rarities Soar in Atlanta!

According to the WGC’s Gold Demand Trends report for Q3 2010, published today, demand for gold in the final quarter of 2010 will be driven by the following factors:

* Increasing demand by the world’s two largest markets, India and China, as rising income levels, high savings rates and strong economic growth continue to push up consumption.

* Gold jewellery demand is likely to exceed that of 2009 due to an anticipated recovery in India, the most significant gold jewellery market, and continuing strength in China. While jewellery demand may face challenges ahead, the latest figures show that demand in key markets has shown resilience in the face of higher prices levels.

* Concern over fiscal imbalances and currency tensions will continue to support investment demand for gold. Aside from the recent additional US$600 billion of quantitative easing by the US, the weakening of the US dollar and associated fears of inflation, demand is also likely to be driven by higher gold price expectations, as well as increasing availability and accessibility of gold investment products to retail investors.

* Industrial demand, which has returned to long-term levels, is expected to remain firm on the back of renewed growth in the electronics industry, due to the majority of semi-conductors being wired by gold.

Marcus Grubb, Managing Director, Investment at the WGC commented:

“Healthy gold demand growth in the third quarter occurred in the context of record international prices, demonstrating how consumers, particularly in India and China, are continuing to appreciate the enduring value of gold. The rediscovery of gold’s properties as both a currency and a monetary asset have been brought into sharp focus. Quantitative easing has forced the adjustment of global imbalances into currency markets and the resulting currency conflict is positive for gold. In addition, we believe demand will be facilitated by the growing number of channels that serve to make gold more easily accessible to a greater number of investors.”

Richard Holliday, Director, Industrial at the WGC commented:

“The recovery of industrial gold demand to pre-crisis levels will continue to be sustained by the rise in demand for high-tech goods, such as the iPad and smart phones. Longer-term exciting advancements in the use of gold in nanotechnology, environmental and biomedical applications are also expected to drive demand.”

GLOBAL DEMAND STATISTICS FOR Q3 2010

* Total gold demand was 922 tonnes, an increase of 12% from Q3 2009. In US$ value terms, demand grew 43% to US$36.4 billion over the same period.

* Demand for gold jewellery increased by 8% from Q3 2009, with four of the best performing markets – India, China, Russia and Turkey – accounting for 63% of global demand. In value terms, global demand for the 12 month period ending September 2010 hit a record US$137.5 billion.

* Retail investment rose 25% from Q3 2009 to 243 tonnes. The largest contribution to total demand growth came from bar hoarding, which increased 44% from the previous year. The total value of net retail investments during the quarter was a record $9.6 billion, representing a 60% increase from Q3 2009.

* Total gold ETF demand fell by 7% from Q3 2009 to 39 tonnes. Following a remarkable surge in the previous quarter, which was supported by heightened sovereign risk and currency worries, this quieter period for ETFs reflects consolidation in the market, as it contemplated the prospect of QE2.

* Industrial demand has recovered back to pre-crisis levels of 110 tonnes, reflecting an increase of 13% from Q3 2009. This recovery was driven by improving demand for consumer electronics goods globally, in particular from emerging markets such as China and India, as well as an increased range of new technology products with gold components.

For further information regarding Gold Demand Trends:

* Stephanie Mackrell, Head of Media Relations, World Gold Council, on + 44 (0) 207 826 4763, or stephanie.mackrell@gold.org
* David Schraeder, MSLGroup, on +1.646.221.0108, or david.schraeder@mslgroup.com

Related posts:

1. World Gold Council: STRONG GOLD DEMAND EXPECTED FOR 2010
2. World Gold Demand Jumps 36% with ETF Investment Demand Rising 414% to 291.3 Tonnes
3. UPWARD TREND IN GOLD PRICE DURING SECOND QUARTER 2010 BACKED BY STRONG FUNDAMENTALS, SAYS THE WORLD GOLD COUNCIL